|
|
All-Purpose Cleaner
This solution is safe for all surfaces, should be rinsed
with water, and is very effective for most jobs. For
a stronger cleaner, double the amounts of soap and lemon
juice.
1/2 cup (125 ml) pure soap
1 gallon (4 liters) hot water
For a clean scent and to help cut grease add 1/4 cup
(60 ml) of lemon juice.
Natural Liquid Dish Soap
- Grate a bar of pure soap into a sauce pan.
- Cover with water and simmer over low heat until they
melt together.
- Add some vinegar to the water for tough grease and
to remove spots.
- Pour into a container and use as you would any liquid
dishwashing soap.
Environmentally Friendly
Mirror, Glass and Window Cleaner
- Wash with pure soap and water
- Rinse with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts
water.
- Use washable, reusable cheese cloth instead of paper
towels.
Scouring Powder
- Use a firm bristle brush and scrub with pure soap
combined with either table salt or baking soda.
- Baking soda alone on a damp sponge is also effective
on most surfaces.
- You can also personalize your scouring powder by adding
an aromatic herb or flower. Put the ingredients in a
blender and run until the fragrance has infused the
powder.
- For oven spills, scrub using straight baking soda
or combine with the stronger version of the all purpose
cleaner.
**Remember to wear gloves when scrubbing.
Clean and Deodorize Carpets
the Healthy Natural Way
- Vacuum, liberally sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda,
leave one hour, then vacuum again.
- For tougher stains, try cold soda water or repeatedly
blot with vinegar and soapy water.
Natural Furniture &
Metal Polishes
Most store-bought polishes contain solvents harmful
to the environment. Aerosol sprays are wasteful and
also contain harmful gases.
• Furniture Polish: Dissolve 1 tsp (5 ml)
lemon oil in 1 cup (250 ml) vegetable oil. Apply with
a clean dry rag.
• Floor Polish: Melt 1/8 cup (30 ml) paraffin
wax in a double boiler. Add 1 quart/liter mineral oil
and a few drops of lemon oil. Apply with a rag, allow
to dry and polish.
• Copper: Try lemon juice and a little
salt or hot vinegar and a little salt on a rag.
• Chrome: Try white flour on a dry rag.
• Brass: Try equal parts salt and flour,
with a little vinegar on a dry rag.
• Silver: Bring to a boil in a large pan:
1 quart/liter water, 1 Tbsp (15 ml) salt, 1 Tbsp (15
ml) baking soda and a strip of aluminum foil. Drop in
silver, boil for 3 minutes and polish with a soft cloth.
Or polish with a paste of wood ash and water. Note:
These methods should be done on sterling silver only
and not on silver plate.
Natural Alternative Air
Freshener Recipes
Commercial air fresheners work by masking smells and
coating the nasal passages with chemicals which diminish
the sense of smell by deadening the nerves. Avoid these
products. Instead, try the all-natural air purifiers
— house plants. Or try these natural recipes to
diminish odor and add a fragrant smell to your house:
- Use baking soda in your garbage or refrigerator to
help reduce odors at their source.
- Dissolve 1 tsp (5 ml) of baking soda in 2 cups (500
ml) of hot water, add 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice. Pour
the solution into a spray bottle and spray as you would
an air freshener.
- Place a few slices of a citrus fruit, cloves or cinnamon
in a pot with enough water to simmer gently for an hour
or two.
Environmentally Friendly Drain Cleaners & Uncloggers
Your drains can be kept open, clean and odor-free without
the use of corrosive drain cleaners. There are two simple
rules: never pour liquid grease down a drain and always
use a drain sieve.
• Use this preventive measure for drains once
a week: mix 1 cup (250 ml) baking soda and 1 cup (250
ml) salt. Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) of this mixture into
the drain. Follow with a pot of boiling water, and flush
with cold water. Done once a week, your drain should
remain open and odor free.
• For clogged drains, pour in 1/2 cup baking soda
followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar. Close the drain until
the fizzing stops (approximately 20 - 30 minutes) and
flush with 2 quarts boiling water. As a last resort,
use a plumber’s snake, available at most hardware
stores, but beware, it can damage pipes.
Green Living Tub and
Tile Cleaning Ideas
Most commercial tile cleaners do more harm than good
because many contain chlorine, a serious irritant to
the eyes, nose and skin, and one of the most dangerous
chemicals found in municipal sewers.
• For bathroom cleaning, use a firm bristled brush
with either baking soda or the mild all-purpose cleaner
and baking soda. Rinse with hot water.
• For hard-water areas use vinegar or lemon juice
to dissolve the mineral build-up. For really tough jobs,
saturate a rag and lay it on the problem spot for a
few hours before rinsing.
• For mould and mildew, rub tiles and grout with
a cloth which has been moistened with vinegar and scrub
with an old toothbrush.
Green
Household Cleaning Recipe Ingredients
Environmentally Friendly
General Cleaning Recipes
Natural
Laundry Recipes
|
